Most people do not understand just how serious having low levels of vitamin b12 is. Sure, people take B12 shots to help with things like b12 weight loss, and low energy levels. But there are many people out there who are experiencing b12 deficiency symptoms and don’t even know it! Sadly, a low level of vitamin b12 has been linked to many things. In addition to dealing with the vitamin b12 deficiency symptoms, people with low B12 are also much more prone to develop chronic disease like heart disease, fibromyalgia and cancer.
What Vitamin B12 Does in Your Body
To understand why a b12 deficiency is so serious and why many people deal with a b12 deficiency by taking a regular b12 shot, let’s take a look at what B12 does in your body. There are many vitamin b12 benefits. Essentially, vitamin B12 is a red crystalline substance that plays a roll in every cell in your body. It is required for blood to form and tissues to grow. In addition to playing a major role in DNA replication and the formation of hemoglobin for red blood cells, vitamin B12 is also important to your neural cells. It helps the fatty substance called myelin that is around your nerve cells for protection to form. Vitamin B12 is often called the energy vitamin, because it helps fat and protein to metabolize in your body.
A key function of Vitamin B12 is to work in the body to reduce homocysteine levels. Homocysteine is an amino acid that is the result of many of your body’s natural functions. It also happens to be toxic. Scientific research has linked elevated homocysteine levels to the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s.
B12 Deficiency Symptoms – Would You Recognize the Signs of B12 Deficiency?
Symptoms of B12 deficiency often go undiagnosed. This is largely because there are a variety of symptoms and very often they can be mistaken for something else. For example, many of the early b12 vitamin deficiency symptoms are often brushed off as the normal signs of aging. At the other end of the spectrum, some people experience very dramatic symptoms even when they are only experiencing moderately low (or low/normal) levels. In these cases, most of the time a B12 deficiency is not considered as a potential cause of the problem because the symptoms are so significant that it does not seem possible that moderately low or borderline b12 levels could be the culprit. Sadly, it is not at all uncommon for B 12 deficiency symptoms to be mis-diagnosed or the signs of b12 deficiency to be ignored all together!
Here are some of the common symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency:
Neurological B Vitamin Deficiency Symptoms
- Mental confusion
- Delusions
- Paranoia
- Headaches
- Depression
- Impulse Control
- Pins and needles in the extremities
- Balance issues
Gastrointestinal Symptoms of B Vitamin Deficiency
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
- Bloating
- Loss of Appetite
- Weight Loss
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
Other Symptoms of B12 Vitamin Deficiency
- Fatigue
- Paleness
- Shortness of breath that results from only very light exertion
- White spots on the skin (typically the forearm) due to decreased melatonin
These varied B12 deficiency symptoms’ are the result of the body not creating sufficient red blood cells due to the decreased levels of B12. Red blood cells are required to carry oxygen to all of your cells so having insufficient red blood cells essentially starves your body of oxygen.
What Should You Do about B12 Deficiency Symptoms?
If you suspect that you have a b12 deficiency, the most important thing that you can do is see your health professional. It is important to understand that it takes at least two separate tests to confirm that a B12 deficiency exists. Additionally, in some instances you can test as having normal levels of vitamin B12 and still your body is not getting what it needs. As far as b12 vegan eaters most always need to supplement.
If you find (or even suspect) that you have low levels of b12, talk to your doctor about whether taking a b12 injection is the best option for you. B12 injections can be given to you by your doctor, but many physicians will also prescribe them to take at home. You can either give yourself b 12 shots, or have a family member give them to you. Because folic acid and symptoms of b12 deficiency often go hand in hand, it can also be wise to take a folic acid supplement. Vit B12 deficiency symptoms are definitely something that you don’t want to ignore!
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I have been as high as 1,750 with my test for B12, now 985, but have all the symptoms of a deficiency. I am told that I am not absorbing the b's in my body, because of disbiosis. Every symptom- very supsetting, as I do not take vit. only D3-. How can I overcome this problem? Anyone please help me. Nerves under my skin full neuropathy, which started out only in feet. Burning and tingling. focus and weak legs at times.It's at the mitrochondia of the cell. How do I turn it around? I am on special diet no white sugar, flour grains. showed mold, little mercury, but going to a Dr. doing some things, like oxygen, k laser and food sensitivities, which I have had for years., costing me $7,500. uncalled for as I am 74 and very upset with the Medical community. I did have a fall in Sept. and hit my head, but they tell me all is ok. I also use the alpha-stim for fibromalgia. I am taking a charcoal with aloe and fennel that will remove toxins and not reabsorb back into the body. Was told dna switched 6 yrs. ago./ Please do you or anyone have the same problem that need the b12, but not absorbing it? and can you help me to tall these drs. what is happenning. God Bless. Thank God for Jesus Christ . God Bless Marie
Marie,
I am not a doctor, but it does sound like you need to get a doctor who will listen to you. I would also highly recommend you reading this book: Could It Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses
It is an amazing book written by a nurse and talks about WHY b12 deficiency is often not diagnosed and exactly what tests need to be performed so that it is not missed. It is truly an amazing book!
HI Marie – I can relate and empathize. VA lost my files and as a result depletion of B12 exacerbated my already compromised immune disorder (I am a celiac, thus have accelerated symptoms like osteoporosis, neuropathy, parasthesia, mental confusion, dissociative disorder (I can see a person's lips move but cannot hear them), some of which is attritutable to extreme nervous disorders due to violent events in my personal life. But the B12 deficiency was changing everyday living to the extreme in terms of difficulty. Read up on it; the most serious symptom, to me, is the possibility of spinal cord interruption, causing malfunctions of the brain – cognitive dysfunction. Thought processes which always came easy to me (I['m an author) have now turned me into a stammering being, searching for the proper terminology even in casual conversation.
All this leads to panic attacks.
I finally had to go to Mexico, near me, and score some injectable B12. Another source is the Canadian pharmacological outlets. That could work.
Do it now! 48 weeks? That's a year!!!!
Best, John
I just posted a long note about my condition. B deficiencey-nerves, tingling,burning,fibromyalgia, test were at one point 1785, now 985, but am not absorbing properly for my body. My system seems to hold onto things, then I become sensitive to them. Please help me for someowne who is too hight and not absorbing b's . God Bless Marie
I am 46 years old and have many systems-numbing and tingling in legs, unusual fatique,headaches, nervousness, panic attacks, weakness in legs and arms, muscle twitching, etc. I have went to many Drs. with no real answer except the usual depression which I don't have! They usually say that if they don't know. My TSH was 3.2% and T4 around .8, and my B12 has been tested many times and it runs between 272 and 295. MRI clean, CBC normal. Thyroid problems run in my family. Homosyteine test normal, MMA normal limits. But I have read about B12 defficiency and it sounds reasonable. But the Drs disagree. I am ready to get B12 shots just to make sure, Any thoughts anyone?
Yes, while federal law requires that we advise you to consult with your physician, the statistics are staggering for the percentage of people who have a B-12 deficiency. Doctors routinely misdiagnose things like Alzheimer's when in fact the patient is suffering from nothing other than massive dehydration and B-12 deficiency. Unfortunately, most over the counter vitamins are useless and there are two different grades. I have not ever heard any legitimate argument for not supplementing with high quality B-12 shots. The first thing I would like at is your diet. What does it consist of? Do you drink sodas? Do you smoke?
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